OEM&Lieferant Ausgabe 2/2020

82 autoregion e.V. Out of the crisis - Hydrogen as an alternative By Armin Gehl, Managing Director of the association autoregion e.V. The corona pandemic has triggered aworldwide economic crisis, which is particularly hard on the globally networked automotive industry. Temporary closure of factories, falling sales in almost all markets of unprecedented magnitude are just two phenomena that give an idea of the extent of the crisis. But Corona also mercilessly uncovers weak- nesses and problemareas. Even before Corona, the automotive industry was in poor shape. Diesel scandal, burdens due to the develop- ment of new models with alternative drives, the discussion about CO² reduction and a global market slowdown, which also affected the previous growth market of China, were all signs of a comprehensive structural crisis, which is now becoming increasingly apparent through Corona gaining transparency. When measures to support and revitalize the automotive industry are currently being dis- cussed, this structural effect must be in the foreground. Comprehensive financial aid, e.g. In the form of purchase bonuses, such as were granted in the 2009 financial crisis, are certainly not worthwhile alone. They perpetuate existing structures, there- fore they do not have a lasting effect and, at best, have a flash in the pan that only conceals the real problems. The focus must be on measures that are suit- able for securing the global leading role of the German automotive industry in the long term. This primarily means strengthening the internal market and maintaining export and thus competitiveness for all relevant world markets. The openness to technology for new products and especially for drive types is vital for inter- national competitiveness. The development of alternative drive types, also in addition to the battery-electric variant, must be further pro- moted. This includes in particular the hydrogen technology in its different technical variants. It would be fatal – as partially required by pol- iticians – to make state support dependent on a scheduled exit from combustion technology. This would mean that one would have to say goodbye to important markets in the medium term. It is foreseeable that in large parts of Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa and South America, for infrastructural reasons alone, forms of elec- tric vehicle propulsion will at best only lead a niche existence in the medium term. The com- bustion engine will continue to dominate here, which is why it needs to be further developed so that it also meets the criteria of climate pro- tection in these markets. The German automo- tive and supplier industry must be involved in these developments if it wants to maintain its international leadership. The discussion before the Corona crisis had al- ready shown that the structural problems of the automotive industry did not only consist in the development and production of new mar- ketable products. Rather, it became clear that the fundamental, climate-related changes in the transport market are taking place in a new conceptual positioning of customers, man- ufacturers and the public sector as service providers and designers of the infrastructural environment. And this is exactly where the key to strengthening the internal market lies. The use of hydrogen fuel cell technology in the autoregion e.V.‘s distribution area may serve as an example. This drive alternative to the classic combustion engine has been the sub- ject of intensive research since the mid-1990s, although the breakthrough on the product side has so far been denied. So far, only a few manufacturers offer vehicles with hydrogen fuel cells. The main advantage of this technol- ogy is that it is absolutely emission-free. Only completely harmless water vapor is emitted. In terms of range and duration of the refuel- ing process, the fuel cell has a clear advantage over the battery-electric drive and achieves comparable values with fossil drive types. Against the background of rising unemploy- ment and declining personnel requirements in the automotive industry, it is important for employees in the supply industry in particular that the production of fuel cell technology is structurally and technically identical to that of the internal combustion engine. The fuel cell requires significantly more metallic com- ponents than a battery-electric drive. The in- creased expansion would be associated with corresponding employment effects. The fuel cell shows its competitive advan- tages when operating in commercial vehicles because it does not need a battery. The heavy batteries reduce the payload required for eco- nomical operation, especially in long-distance transport, and the long charging times reduce the optimization of operating times. The en- ergy source hydrogen is an unmissable alter- native in this area. Serious estimates assume that by 2030, around 350,000 commercial vehicles will be equipped with hydrogen fuel cell technology. In the meantime, politics has also recognized this. For example, the Federal Government initiated a „Government program for hydro- gen and fuel cell technology 2016-2026“ with extensive funding options, from which the Saarland and its neighboring regions have so far only benefited to a limited extent. So far, only 300,000 euros of federal funding for the further development of a hydrogen concept has been granted under the „HyExperts“ pro- gram. Investments in the infrastructure have also been slow so far. After long delays, the construction of a hydrogen filling station is finally started. Others are faster and more efficient on the subject of “hydrogen and fuel cell technol- ogy”. South Korea, which is low on raw ma- Image: © autoregion e.V. Armin Gehl, Managing Director of the association autoregion e.V.